A COLLECTION box belonging to the county's air ambulance service has been stolen from a Chesham pub.

A charity box for the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance was swiped from the bar at the Jolly Sportsman in Eskdale Avenue on Thursday night.

A plea for help to track down the stolen box has made by volunteers from the charity, which covers medical emergencies in Berkshire and Oxfordshire as well as Buckinghamshire.

Spokesman Sarah Williamson said: "We are saddened that charities are victims of theft so near to Christmas. The Air Ambulance relies solely on the donations received from the local community and charity boxes do play a strong part in our fundraising activities.

"Unfortunately, the theft of charity boxes does seem to be on the increase and it is a very harsh reality.

"We would like to thank the local community for their support and hope they will continue to do so in the future. However, please do keep an eye out on for our distinctive yellow charity box and if found please contact us on 0300 999 0135."